By DeeDee Stiepan, Mayo Clinic News Network
Added sugar in foods does more than just add extra calories. It can have direct toxic effects, such as tooth decay and even an increased risk for heart disease. Minimizing your consumption of added sugar is crucial. However, you may be unaware of just how much added sugar you consume. This is because some seemingly healthy foods actually contain added sugar.
In this Mayo Clinic Minute, Dr. Donald Hensrud, a Mayo Clinic nutrition specialist and the editor of “The Mayo Clinic Diet,” explains what to watch out for when trying to avoid added sugar.
“Whenever food is processed, certain ingredients are often added. And more often than not, it’s sugar or salt,” says Dr. Hensrud.
To determine the amount of added sugar in packaged food, turn to the nutrition label. You might be surprised by what you discover.
“Many things that you wouldn’t suspect – such as sauces, dips, and spreads – contain added sugars. They can be found in almost every category of food products,” says Dr. Hensrud.
Foods that can unexpectedly provide added sugar include:
- Salad dressing
- Condiments
- Canned soup
- Granola bars
- Protein bars
“Studies have shown that for many individuals, the number of calories they consume from added sugars is significant,” says Dr. Hensrud.
Dr. Hensrud recommends carefully examining food labels and choosing foods that contain natural sugars, such as fruits. These options are low in calories and packed with essential vitamins and minerals.
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